A comparison of cabbage crop growth parameters and harvest maturity indices under different planting methods, with an emphasis on mechanical harvesting

Abstract

Manual cabbage harvesting dominates Indian contests, which is laborious. Mechanical harvesting may resolve this. A plant physical properties database is needed before designig the mechanical harvesting system. In view of this, a study was conducted to examine the effect of planting methods (flat, ridge-furrow and ridge-furrow with plastic mulch) on physical growth and harvesting age of crop and thereby find out the most suitable planting method for mechanical harvesting. The effect of planting methods in terms of the physical growth parameters (plant height, plant diameter, length of leaf stem, length of stem, stem diameter, head diameter and head weight) and harvest maturity indices (compactness, specific gravity, total soluble solids, pH and pattern of wrapper leaves) were evaluated for two cabbage cultivars (Syngenta BC-79 and S-996). The planting methods had shown a significant effect on growth parameters such as plant height (270.56 mm), plant diameter (549.39 mm), stem length (58.61 mm), stem diameter (34.58 mm), head diameter (144.89 mm) and head weight (1.12 kg) at harvest. The maximum number of matured heads (83.66%) was recorded in ridge-furrow with mulch planting. The interaction effect of planting methods and cultivars was insignificant for all physical growth indicators. From the perspective of mechanical harvesting, the findings of this study provide a valuable planting method for cabbage growers.